SAVE THE DATE
Join us for this half-day virtual event!
Wednesday May 26th at 7pm EST
Come join us
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
March
Come travel with us
Maria Jose Bouey
January
Sex, intimacy and relationships
Neil Nandi, Lora Yeater & Dana Garber
October
The October Sessions
Various speakers
The Speakers
Tina Aswani
Crohn’s patient and award-winning patient expert
Tina Aswani Omprakash is a Crohn’s patient and award-winning patient expert and health advocate based out of New York City. She has had Crohn’s Disease for 15 years and has had numerous surgeries. Tina maintains a blog and advocacy platform called Own Your Crohn’s (http://ownyourcrohns.com) and recently co-founded IBDesis, a community for South Asians living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Her overarching aim is to normalize the rhetoric around chronic illnesses and disabilities in order to help diverse groups of patients own their ailments to live fuller, happier lives.
Via her writing, lobbying, social media advocacy and speaking engagements, she spearheads public health causes, including those proposing research for and creating awareness for IBD, life-saving ostomy surgery, gastroparesis, fistulizing disease and initiatives supporting health equity for women and racial, ethnic & sexual minorities.
Tina is pursuing her Master’s degree in Public Health at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine. Additionally, she does freelance work for non-profits as well as ostomy manufacturers, in addition to pharmaceutical and digital health companies to help them recognize disparities and unmet needs in minority health populations.
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation recognized Tina in 2021 for her phenomenal leadership and powerful impact on the IBD community with the Above & Beyond Volunteer Award. Tina’s blog was also recognized as a 2020 Best Blog by Healthline and she was awarded the 2019 Healio Gastroenterology Disruptive Innovator Award by the American College of Gastroenterology for moving the needle on GI care for patients.
Charlotte Rensberger MSN, APRN, PNP-PC
11 Health Nurse
Charlotte was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis as a teen and had a total colectomy and j-pouch created shortly after diagnosis. The j-pouch did its job well, but a few years later in routine surveillance testing, Charlotte was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. This disease was well controlled with medications, and Charlotte became a nurse, got married, and had 2 children. In 2015, however her j-pouch failed, and surgery required the creation of a new and permanent ostomy. Her Crohn’s is currently in remission and she is enjoying all the things that life with an ostomy allows her to do. She is a Masters prepare nurse, and continues to work as a pediatric nurse practitioner in Michigan, and in her spare time she enjoys baking, re-finishing furniture, and all things artistic.
Info
What is Gutsy Gathering?
Gutsy Gathering is 11 Health’s Virtual Support Group for patients who are seeking support for digestive disorders.
Specifically, Gutsy Gathering supports patients who have IBD or Colorectal Cancer, currently have an ostomy, or may one day face surgery for their disease. We are patients, talking to patients.
What Happens?
During a Gutsy Gathering meeting, patients will have the opportunity to share their experiences with a group of peers, all monitored by a licensed 11 Health nurse.
Also, each Gutsy Gathering meeting will feature an expert in the field. All group leaders have resources, training, strategies and real-life experiences.
When do groups meet, and what are the technical requirements?
Gutsy Gathering meets once per month. In order to join the meeting, you must pre-register here, and have access to a computer or mobile device with internet access to launch a ZOOM meeting. (Please download ZOOM prior to the meeting, a link will be provided after you register.)
Our Rules
1
What is said in the meeting, stays in the meeting
This is the essential principle of confidentiality and must be respected by all participants.
2
Differences of opinion are OK
We are all entitled to our own point of view.
Use “I” language
Share from your personal experience, say “this is what helped me” or “when I was faced with this problem, I …” – don’t give advice unless asked to.
3
It’s OK not to share
People do not need to actively participate; much can be gained by just listening.
4
Its everyone’s responsibility to make the group a safe place to share
Treat each other with respect and kindness. Show compassion and respect confidentiality.
5
One person speaks at a time
Each person should be allowed to speak free from interruptions and side conversations
6
Questions shared via chat to the Nurse Leader
Comments and questions must be shared via chat and directed to the nurse leader. She is the appropriate person, so share with the speaker to be responded.
7
Share the air time
Everyone who wishes to share has an opportunity to do so. No one person should monopolize the group time.
8
“Headline” your comments
Say the most important part of your comment first. Try to keep your contribution brief and to the point.
9
The group leader may interrupt you
This is to keep the meeting on track.